I wish to honor Chris Hitchens on the day of his death because he was a brilliant writer, who made smart arguments, Here's a description of Hitch, by Jacob Weisberg, with which I especially agree, and even identify:
He loved to argue and debate, not because he was a bully but because he thought it pointed in the direction of truth
Some will say Hitch's strong and famous opposition to religion disqualifies him from receiving the praise of believers such as me. Perhaps Hitch will even be subjected to the antithesis of a sweet send-off from those Jewish blogs where antisemitic racists (Jerry Fallwell|) and lovers of lies (Pope JP2) were mourned dolefully.
I understand the impulse. Hitch said some pretty strong things about religion in general, and Judaism in particular. He was no friend of faith. However, what he said about faith and Judaism was often true -- unpleasent and angry, to be sure, but also true. Here for example is Hitch about organized religion::
However, I must agree that Hitch does make a mistake, and it is over this mistake that he and I part company. Hitch blames the religion for these flaws, rather than its adherents. Unlike Hitch, I don't think Judaism is inherently "violent, irrational, intolerant, allied to racism, tribalism, and bigotry, invested in ignorance and hostile to free inquiry, contemptuous of women and coercive toward children." I think Judaism is whatever the Jews say it is. And though I can't really picture a polite Christianity or a pro-person Islam, I can, unlike Hitch, imagine a Judaism - a legitimate and authentic Judaism - that has cleansed itself of the pathologies Hitch describes. I've seen it, in small flashes and I think such a Judaism is worth the effort it would take to create on a larger scale.
Unlike those who would condemn Hitchens merely for describing what he sees, I take his words as a challenge. It is a great reminder of what we religious Jews must commit ourselves to defeating.
What did Hitch like? What did he hate?
From his memoir:
I understand the impulse. Hitch said some pretty strong things about religion in general, and Judaism in particular. He was no friend of faith. However, what he said about faith and Judaism was often true -- unpleasent and angry, to be sure, but also true. Here for example is Hitch about organized religion::
"[It is] violent, irrational, intolerant, allied to racism, tribalism, and bigotry, invested in ignorance and hostile to free inquiry, contemptuous of women and coercive toward childrenIs one word of this false? Think of the religions you know, Judaism included, and tell me where he is wrong. Are the Jews of Brooklyn, to give one example, especially tolerant or opposed to racism? Do they celebrate free inquiry? Do they believe women should be permitted to shape their own lives in the way they see fit?
However, I must agree that Hitch does make a mistake, and it is over this mistake that he and I part company. Hitch blames the religion for these flaws, rather than its adherents. Unlike Hitch, I don't think Judaism is inherently "violent, irrational, intolerant, allied to racism, tribalism, and bigotry, invested in ignorance and hostile to free inquiry, contemptuous of women and coercive toward children." I think Judaism is whatever the Jews say it is. And though I can't really picture a polite Christianity or a pro-person Islam, I can, unlike Hitch, imagine a Judaism - a legitimate and authentic Judaism - that has cleansed itself of the pathologies Hitch describes. I've seen it, in small flashes and I think such a Judaism is worth the effort it would take to create on a larger scale.
Unlike those who would condemn Hitchens merely for describing what he sees, I take his words as a challenge. It is a great reminder of what we religious Jews must commit ourselves to defeating.
What did Hitch like? What did he hate?
From his memoir:
“In the hate column: dictatorship, stupidity, demagogy, censorship, bullying and intimidation. In the love column: literature, irony, humor, the individual and the defense of free expression.”
A good list, no?
Stuff you should do next
- Buy Hitchens most recent anthology of essays
- Give someone (like me?) the joy of an Amazon Gift Card
- Check out the titles at the DovBear Book Store
- Search for more information about the late, great Christopher Hitchens at 4torah.com
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